Community Corner
$2B Disneyland Expansion; Horse Rescued From Ditch: Saturday Smiles
A record-breaking number of gray whale sightings, SeaWorld San Diego is celebrating its 60th anniversary, and more nice SoCal news.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA — To keep your weekend light, Patch presents some positive Southern California stories from the past week — many that hopefully will brighten your day.
Animals
Feline 'Trap-Neuter/Spay-Return' Policy Adopted In Riverside County
Healthy cats that come into county-operated shelters will be vaccinated and spayed/neutered before being returned to where they came from.
Find out what's happening in Santeefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Horse Stuck In Ditch Rescued By Firefighters In South OC
A 10-year-old horse named Nala was rescued by firefighters in South Orange County after she fell into a ditch.
Find out what's happening in Santeefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Gray Whales Galore Off South OC Coast: Photos
Travelers aboard a Dana Wharf Whale Watching vessel were treated to a record-breaking number of gray whale sightings this week.
Arts and Entertainment
Frontwave Arena Opening In September With Gold Over America Tour
The Gold Over America Tour starring Simone Biles kicks off Sept. 17 at Frontwave Arena. The show serves as the venue's opening event.
Massive $2B Disneyland Expansion Approved By Commission
The 10-year plan received its first round of approvals Monday on the park's first major expansion project since the '90s.
Olivia Rodrigo, Crumbl Partner For 'Guts Tour' Signature Cookie
California fans of the 'Vampire' singer will have to wait until August for the cutout cookie with a big bite.
Riverside County's American Idol Songbird Being Celebrated At Concert
The free-to-attend send-off concert in honor of Indio resident Abi Carter takes place March 23.
SeaWorld San Diego To Celebrate 60th Anniversary
The San Diego theme park is celebrating the milestone anniversary with a launch party, new experiences and limited-edition merchandise.
See Which Movie Star Took The Bus To The Oscars
He's had his Metro pin longer than his Academy membership pin, and he proudly wore them both to the Academy Awards.
Sir Rod Stewart To Perform In Riverside County
It is currently his only Southern California concert for 2024.
Women Of All Ages Sought For 2nd Pageant Of The Masters Casting Call
The Pageant of the Masters in Laguna Beach has officially announced a second casting call scheduled for Thursday, March 28.
Business
The Shops at Mission Viejo announced the opening of Candy Factory, the newest addition to their retail mix today.
Parakeet Café Opens New Location At The Forum Carlsbad
Parakeet Café serves health-conscious food, coffee, tea and freshly baked goods prepared with organic and locally sourced ingredients.
SDG&E Touts Diverse Suppliers, Nearly $2.6B In Economic Impact
Nearly 600 — or one-third — of the suppliers who did business with SDG&E in 2023 were diverse businesses.
Community
$500 Microgrants Offered To Uplift Los Angeles Neighborhoods
The Nextdoor Kind Foundation is offering $500 microgrants to 100 Los Angeles County residents with ideas for strengthening the community.
670 Acres Of Riverside County Open Space Set Aside For Conservation
B Canyon will now continue to provide much-needed habitat and connections for mountain lions and other wildlife, officials said.
The annual award honors residents who have provided outstanding service to the community.
County Supervisors OK Home Kitchen Policy Addition
The board voted to amend an ordinance that allows micro-enterprise home kitchen operations in San Diego County.
County Supervisors OK Proposal To Reduce Health Care Costs
The plan calls for increasing reimbursement rates for Medi-Cal recipients and reducing the cost of prescription drugs for San Diegans.
Free Class Hosted By Temecula CHP Aims To Keep Young Drivers Safe
The CHP Temecula office is hosting a free "Start Smart" class for teens and their parents. The class takes place from 6 to 8 p.m. March 20.
Hollywood Central Park Awarded $3.59M Federal Grant
The Hollywood Freeway is often a parking lot, but soon it could be transformed into a park.
Four deputies who helped save a man from drowning earned commendations from the city of Malibu recently.
New Signs Planned For Culver Steps Area To Boost Business Visibility
New signs are coming to downtown's Town Plaza area to help boost business visibility.
Passport Replacement Services Available For San Diego Flood Survivors
The city and county of San Diego will help residents replace their lost or damaged passports through the end of the month.
Santa Monica Pier's Ferris Wheel Will Light Up For St. Patrick's Day
The Ferris wheel at Pacific Park, known as the Pacific Wheel, features 174,000 LED lights that will be lit up for St. Patrick's Day.
Supervisors OK Sleeping Cabins, RV Parking Site To Help Homeless
A concept design shows office and storage space as well as restrooms on the site. Construction is scheduled to begin next year.
The project is designed to smooth traffic flow and reduce crashes on an 8-mile stretch of northbound Interstate 15 in Temecula and Murrieta.
Events
25th Annual Walk For Animals North County Slated This Weekend
Walk for Animals North County is one of San Diego Humane Society's largest annual fundraisers.
Dana Point Film Festival Announces 2024 Dates: What To Know
Residents who attend the second annual festival will enjoy documentary filmmaking focused on marine life and surfing.
Hop Down The Bunny Trail At Santee Trolley Square
The family-friendly event will feature a trick-or-treat-style egg hunt, as well as activities and crafts, carnival rides and giveaways.
Long Beach Grand Prix A Month Away: What To Know
The 49th annual event will race down Shoreline Drive starting April 19.
This year's event, "Pali Runway: Where Styles Make Waves," will include a fashion show, auctions and dinner.
Vendors Sought For 3rd Annual Temecula CultureFest
Restaurants, caterers, community nonprofits, high school clubs, faith-based organizations, and/or local businesses are invited to apply.
Health
San Gorgonio Memorial Hospital Foundation Receives $5 Million Donation
The Morongo Band of Mission Indians donated the money that will be used for women's health programs.
Schools
3 San Diego Area Students Named National Honor Society Semifinalists
Semifinalists receive $3,200 scholarships.
4 Encinitas Students Honored During Chamber Of Commerce Event
The Rising Star program is a monthly breakfast that honors seniors from high schools in the San Dieguito Union High School District.
Champion Named In San Diego County Scripps Regional Spelling Bee
Benjamin Evans, an eighth grader from Twin Peaks Middle School in Poway, won the 54th San Diego County Scripps Regional Spelling Bee.
GIA Launches New Scholarship Program For San Diego Area Students
Carlsbad-based Gemological Institute of America is offering up to $2 million in merit-based, needs-based and veteran's scholarships in 2024.
San Diego County Office Of Education Honors Social Workers Of The Year
In San Diego County, there are more than 175 school social workers and nearly 150 interns.
Sports
Barehanded-Bee Whisperer Saves Indian Wells Tennis Tournament
Bees swarmed Thursday's BNP Paribas Open quarterfinal matchup between Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev. Lance Davis saved the day.
U.S. Defeats Brazil In CONCACAF W Gold Cup Final At Snapdragon Stadium
The U.S. is second behind 2023 Women's World Cup champion Spain in the rankings compiled by FIFA, soccer's worldwide governing body.
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